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Music at the Marston a Hit!
By Sandé Lollis
November/December 2022
Editor's Note: Sandé Lollis is an award-winning vocalist and songwriter in addition to being a multimedia dynamo for SOHO.
As a musician, I'm always looking for that next great venue or event where I can perform. So when SOHO hatched the idea to hold a three-concert music series in the gardens at the Marston House, I knew it would be a success. I also knew which performers to invite to participate. We were able to arrange for a diverse lineup of San Diego musicians who were happy to be part of the first of what we plan to make a regular happening.
The inaugural series of “Music at the Marston: Concerts for Historic Preservation” in September 2022 was a great success, but not without its ups and downs. A couple of days before the first concert, one of the performers fell ill. Fortunately, another musician had expressed interest and was available to step in last minute. Tragedy averted.
The debilitating heat wave was another challenge that day. Our team put up every umbrella we had on hand, as well as pop-ups in a variety of colors and sizes. When concert goers arrived, they positioned themselves across the lawn like islands in the shifting spots of shade. We provided snacks and beverages in the historic tea house and the museum shop was open, selling tickets and merchandise.
SOHO members and friends turned out, but also, happily, the music and musicians brought us new people who had never been to the Marston House or a SOHO event. It was exciting to introduce them to who we are and what we do, and many expressed interest in becoming involved with our programs.
Click each musician to view larger
Left to right, top Bobo Czarnowski, Eric Neilson, Sandé Lollis; middle Lindsay White, Dana Duplan, Mark Montijo; bottom Donn Bree, Thea Tochihara, Jeff Berkley
The concerts were a beautiful mix of some of San Diego's most celebrated singer-songwriters. For the first one, we had blues, country, rock singer Donn Bree and western troubadour Dana Duplan, both from the backcountry; and San Diego Music Award winner Lindsay White. Acclaimed songwriter Mark Montijo, folk and neo-soul singer-songwriter Eric Neilson, and I performed in the second concert. For our third, we had award-winning singer-songwriter and producer Jeff Berkley, social causes singer Bobo Czarnowski, and from-the-heart-for-the-soul singer Thea Tochihara. The musicians all expressed joy at performing in the garden for a good cause,and appreciated the listening room experience, as they were given the opportunity to not only sing their songs, but to share a bit about their writing process and origins of each song.
The shows were well attended and the numbers built momentum, so the third concert was all but sold out. The buzz? “This was great! When's the next series?” We’re working on more concerts featuring different kinds of music, so stay tuned; you can count on us to let you know.
Check out these “Music at the Marston” promotional videos on SOHO’s YouTube channel
September 2 - Donn Bree, Dana Duplan, and Lindsay White
September 16 - Sandé Lollis, Mark Montijo, and Eric Neilson
September 30 - Jeff Berkley, Bobo Czarnowski, and Thea Tochihara
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